Local Stores & Nearby Shopping

There’s something about the leisurely pace of a vacation that makes shopping that much more fun. And when you can enjoy loads of variety with ease, that makes it even better. Luckily, the local stores around The Homestead offer all the necessities and souvenirs to make the most of your stay.

Best Gift Shops

Located minutes from The Homestead is the quaint town of Glen Arbor, which boasts bountiful shopping standouts: The small-but-mighty Cottage Bookshop. Located in a charming log house, it offers a surprisingly wide selection of beach reads alongside regional reads, children’s books, best sellers, and art prints. Find your requisite vacay tees, sweatshirts, hats, stickers, and more gifts at Bay Wear, Inc.

Down the road in nearby Empire you’ll find The Miser’s Hoard, whose curated mix of new and vintage items include jewelry, pottery, crystals, and much more. Be sure to check out The Secret Garden, which features unique offerings from whimsical suncatchers and wind sculptures to handmade soaps and ornaments.

In neighboring Frankfort, you’ll discover the one-of-a-kind Crystal Lake Alpacas. An alpaca farm and animal park, it features a wide variety of handcrafted alpaca products for all ages, including hats, mittens, scarves, socks, stuffed animals, and much more.

Round out your shopping with a visit to Suttons Bay, where you’ll find Bayside Gallery and its dazzling array of accessible yet upscale items you won’t find elsewhere, like stationary, indoor and garden art, linens, jewelry, and decor.

Best Clothes

Need a new ’fit? Whether you want fresh feminine fashion or casual beachwear, you can find it via nearby shopping. In Glen Arbor, Cottonseed Apparel boasts unique women’s tops, skirts, and dresses galore, and Crystal River Outfitters offers swimwear, footwear, hats, and more.

Leland boasts women’s boutique Haystacks, which offers a plethora of cotton pants, tops, and skirts in vibrant prints and colors, and Tug Stuff, a clothing store known for its timeless, yet on trend essentials for the whole family — even the dog.

In business for over 100 years, Bahle’s in Suttons Bay is a must-stop local store offering shoes, clothes, and accessories for the whole family, from babies to adults.

Best Gifts for Foodies

Foodies will feast on fare from local artisanal food stores, including Cherry Republic whose cherry-centric wares include candies, jam, salsa, BBQ sauce, wines, and even dog treats. With its myriad offerings, including truffles, caramels, and bars, Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate will thrill chocolate lovers.

In addition to classic sweet treats like lollipops and toffees, Lynn & Perin Mercantile Co. in downtown Frankfort offers a range of gourmet spices and condiments like vinegars, olive oils, and honeys. Cheese lovers will rejoice over Leelanau Cheese’s cave-aged, European style cheeses, including raclette and fromage blanc. And for an unexpected treat, stop by Carlson’s Fishery, which offers fresh smoked fish as well as fish sausage, fish pate, fish jerky, plus beef and turkey jerky. Lastly, don’t forget to grab a bottle (or case) of handcrafted wine from the winery at Black Star Farms. Situated in a unique lake-effect climate that produces expert grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir, there’s a reason these wines are award-winning.